It is no news to pet owners that having their cat spayed or neutered is one of the best things they can do for its health. However, if you have a male cat, most often called a tom, having him neutered will bring about specific changes that are definitely good. Tom cats are somewhat territorial and always on the lookout for a mating partner, so having them neutered can change a lot about how they behave for the better. Here is a closer look at a few things you should expect to change if you have your tom cat neutered by a vet like those at All Creatures Animal Hospital.
The constant roaming around will be less of a problem.
All cats are known wanderers that will go for miles and miles to get to a mate, but tom cats in particular are concerning for their owners because they will sometimes wander off and never return. When you have your tom neutered, he will have less of a drive to roam and wander since most of this behavior is related to tracking down a mate. Therefore, you can let your cat outside without such a major fear of him taking off and not coming back for days on end.
The need to mark territory with sprayed urine will not be as important.
People often think of dogs as some of the most territorial creatures, but cats are actually just as attentive to ensuring any other animal around knows when they are impeding where they don't belong. Tom cats are pretty notorious for actually using urine to spray their territory. Unfortunately, this behavior can leave you with urine-stained walls, flooring, and even furniture in the house. The odor of a male cat's urine is so strong that it can be smelled from a great distance, so it is extremely hard to eliminate. Male cats that have been neutered are much less territorial and much less likely to spray their territory.
The need to be aggressive toward other cats will be diminished.
Tom cats will fight ferociously with other tom cats, specifically when it comes to finding a mate. This is why tom cats who are not neutered often come back home with massive scars, shredded ears, and even missing clumps of hair. When you neuter your tom kitty, that aggression towards other tom cats will be diminished, so you are less likely to see him come home injured because he has been fighting.
